Major UK supermarkets and food businesses have joined the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in calling for a “bold and forward-looking vision” for UK trade that puts the environment and the transition to a green economy front and centre.

Retailers and food businesses including Co-op, Iceland, Nestlé, Pilgrim’s Pride and Waitrose have signed a statement urging Ministers to develop core standards for trade, in line with recommendations set out by the Trade and Agriculture Commission.

This would include environmental, animal welfare, and public health standards for all food sold in the UK, no matter where in the world it’s produced.

“By putting sustainability and animal welfare at the heart of our future trade deals, the Government will not only be supporting British businesses and the transition to a green economy, but can also set an example for the rest of the world to follow.”

In a joint statement, coordinated by WWF, the group is urging Government to capitalise on the UK’s status as a newly independent trading nation to define a path for trade that will help tackle the climate and nature emergency, and enhance supply chain resilience.

Matt Dight, head of sustainability at Pilgrim’s UK, said: “As one of the UK’s biggest food and farming businesses and Britain’s leading higher welfare pig farmer, we’re not prepared to compromise on our standards. That’s why we fully support the WWF in calling for the government to ensure that the highest welfare and environmental standards are maintained for any food products imported into the UK from other countries.

“We all have a responsibility to do everything we can to ensure we have a positive impact on people and the planet – by putting sustainability and animal welfare at the heart of our future trade deals, the Government will not only be supporting British businesses and the transition to a green economy, but can also set an example for the rest of the world to follow.”